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FIGS – a new tool for rapid mining of agricultural genebanks

Scaling-up: These varieties were bred for dryland farming systems in developing countries. For optimal performance, varieties can be targeted to specific farming systems, depending on locally prevalent stresses.

The new ‘FIGS’ tool – the Focused Identification of Germplasm Strategy ― allows gene bank managers and agricultural researchers worldwide to screen large plant genetic resource collections more rapidly and accurately than was previously possible using traditional methods.

FIGS is a major advance over current approaches. It brings researchers closer to the world’s 6 million genetic resources accessions in the world’s agricultural genebanks.

Many plant genotypes are potential sources of novel genes that can improve drought tolerance, disease resistance and other traits. Until now, breeders have not full succeeded in combing through huge gene bank collections to identify useful traits.

This new tool was developed jointly by ICARDA, the Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry in Russia, and the Grains Research and Development Corporation in Australia. In a short period, it has already helped identify sources of resistance to several important pests and diseases. For example: